High Fidelity Wraparound: Research and Issues for Implementation

Synopsis: The wraparound service process is an outgrowth of the National Institute of Mental Health Child and Adolescent Service System Program that has been the leading edge of developing systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families for the past twenty years. Although excellent results have been achieved for some programs, in many other communities the results have been less positive. Research is beginning to show that the fidelity of the process is directly correlated to the outcomes for children and families. Through the National Wraparound Initiative an agreed upon set of principles, phases and activities have been developed to define high fidelity wraparound. Ongoing field research is examining the effects of various ways to train, coach, and supervise the wrapaorund process. This presentation will share results of this ongoing research on these implementation issues and discuss lessons learned in producing high fidelity wrapround.